Room for growth: A qualitative study into the therapeutic experiences of consensually non-monogamous clients in the United Kingdom

Sophia Swindlehurst, Jessica Sweet, Mark Hoelterhoff*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Introduction: Previous research shows a dearth of literature relating to the therapeutic experiences of the consensually non-monogamous (CNM) population. Research Question and Aims: We aim to understand the experiences of CNM clients in mental healthcare with a view to improving services. Method: This is an online, questionnaire-based qualitative study. Participants (n = 19) were CNM individuals who had accessed mental healthcare in the UK and disclosed being a part of CNM to their practitioner. They were recruited through social media and internet forums. Some ethical considerations included the vulnerability of this population and concerns over anonymity. Thematic analysis of the data was conducted. Findings: Three main themes were identified, these were ‘stigma’, ‘pathologisation’ and ‘barriers to openness within the therapeutic alliance’. Conclusion: It is theorized that societal mononormativity impacts both clients and practitioners within mental healthcare. For clients this compounds minority stress and results in experiences of fear of disclosure in anticipation of stigma. For practitioners, this mononormativity manifests in stigmatizing assumptions and the pathologisation of CNM in clients. Taken together, this culminates in a lack of openness and damage to the therapeutic alliance. This means care is ineffective and potentially harmful. Ways of mitigating this, including education and the development of meta skills, are explored.

Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Couple and Relationship Therapy
Early online date21 Dec 2023
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 21 Dec 2023

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • consensual non-monogamy
  • mononormativity
  • psychotherapy
  • stigma
  • therapeutic alliance
  • therapy

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